Race for Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Cub Tennis final stages begins

Dele Oshiga, Hillary Eledu and Babatunde Olujobi are among the top stars in the race for the final stages of the on-going Ikoyi Club tennis competition sponsored by Zenith Bank.

The tournament started at the tennis section of Ikoyi Club 1938 on Wednesday last week, with the team event, which ended at the weekend.

The men and women singles, which are standard tournaments, as well as doubles for the veterans and super veterans categories started on Monday also at the venue.

In some of the results recorded on Monday night, Dele Oshiga defeated Muyiwa Kayode 6/3, 6/4, Hillary Eledu defeated Emma Awure 6/3, 6/4 and Babatunde Olujobi defeated Charles Mozie also in straight sets of 6/1, 6/2.

Some walk overs were, however, recorded as Bola Ayorinde sent out Segun Durojaiye without hitting the racquet. Same went for Peter Amangbo, who walked over Ik Madueke, Lasore Layemi walked over Ethelbert Uzoeto, Nishant Abbi achieved same feat over Mike Nwokolo-Oba, while Ishmael Nwokocha also walked over Gabriel Ogbeche.

In other games, Lanre Oladimeji defeated Mrityunjay Morang 6/2, 6/1, O., Abijo defeated F. Ugwueke 6/1, 6/1, E. Anikibe defeated J. Azekwoh 6/1, 6/1, S. Ofoegbu also beat J. Ntephe by same straight margin of 6/1, 6/1. Interestingly, Tennis section President, Bimbo Okubena defeated S. Oladapo 1/6, 6/3, 12-10 in a tension soaked encounter, while Kalada Kienka defeated Ekene Nwokolo 6/0, 6/2.

In the women cadre, Rose Monu defeated Mobolaji Ogundairo 7/5, 4/6, 10-8 while Florence Mandela defeated Nneka Gagar 6/1, 6/4.

Okubena yesterday said the competition had been interesting so far with participants enjoying themselves.

“The atmosphere has been fantastic and we expect that the tournament gets better as we move on. The sponsors have been fantastic as usual and the relationship has been almost perfect with the club. We are happy,” Okubena said.
The Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Club Tennis tournament ends on Saturday.